Baker Mayfield isn’t messing around after signing his new contract and that mindset can get the Buccaneers back to the playoffs
Baker Mayfield has a new contract. And while it’s a historical deal and life-changing money, nothing has changed about how he approaches the game and what he expects from himself as quarterback of the Buccaneers.
Baker Mayfield is $165 million richer after signing his historical contract extension with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but that doesn’t change anything when it comes to both his approach and attitude toward the game of football.
“I still have so much to prove,” Mayfield told reporters on Wednesday. “This isn’t ‘I’ve made it.’ You know, this is life-changing money. This is stuff that, for us, is unbelievable. But it’s an opportunity to help the community and to continue to progress and move forward.
“And [the] main goal is still a Super Bowl, and I don’t have one of those.”
But it’s not just the goal of reaching -and winning- the Super Bowl. Mayfield, along with the rest of the Buccaneers roster that has been year over the last three seasons, is ready to buck a yearly trend that’s really tested the team and even caused some very rough moments (think 3rd and 28 against the Falcons) that have weighed heavily on the final outcome of each respective season.
And that’s the midseason lull we’ve witnessed each year since 2023. We can also go back to the 2022 season, as well, before Mayfield was even around.
“A lot of things,” Mayfield said when asked what he wants to improve on moving forward. “I think, when it comes to just being able to finish the season the right way. We’ve had hot starts and lulls in the middle of the year. Being able to to put it all together and be consistent, and that’s not just for me, but for our team.
“And as the leader, I have to do that, and I have to demand that of myself every day before I can demand it of my teammates. So, just trying to raise that standard, no matter if it’s going good or bad, every single day, and go from there, and just be more consistent.”
No one expected Baker Mayfield to take it down a notch after signing his contract with the Buccaneers, but it’s still refreshing to hear Mayfield say the right things in a public setting. Because that trickles down to teammates and sets the proper example and standard needed to get back to the playoffs.
And the Buccaneers can do just that with this roster.
Buccaneers are primed for a successful year on offense and defense
The Buccaneers are pretty healthy entering the season and on paper, you can see the potential on both sides of the ball.
On offense, the offensive line is a top-5 unit. The receiver corps is young, athletic, and versatile. The running backs can do it all and the tight ends, while not spectacular, are solid players who aren’t one-trick ponies. They can provide quality snaps in multiple ways.
On defense, this is the deepest defensive line/outside pass rusher group that’s ever been assembled under both Jason Licht and Todd Bowles. Every single player has their own unique strength that complements the others, as well.
The secondary, specifically at cornerback, is where the biggest question lies. And sure, it can certainly pose a problem for the Buccaneers if things don’t go as planned or if a key player gets hurt. At the same time however, it has a chance to be an OK group if things do work out as planned. So it’s not all gloom and doom.
The Buccaneers have one of the best safety duos in Antoine Winfield Jr. and Tykee Smith. While the depth behind them is questionable, there a few practice squad options that can be utilized when needed and they’re better PS squad options than your average bear.
And last but not least, Chase McLaughlin is a top-5 kicker in the NFL. Sure Riley Dixon is a big question and played a role in a few losses last year, so we can’t put him in the “promising” category. Especially after an up-and-down preseason.
But overall, the Buccaneers are in a very good spot. And with Mayfield now motivated for more positive reasons than “revenge”, if you want to call it that, the chances of getting back to the postseason look better than ever.
